Robertson revels in 100 hundreds

World number one Neil Robertson was ecstatic after bringing up a record 100 century breaks in a season at the Dafabet World Championship in Sheffield.

The Australian progressed to the semi-finals at the Crucible after reeling off the final five frames in a come-from-behind 13-11 victory over Judd Trump, although it was his history-making achievement in the 22nd frame that attracted as much attention.

Robertson potted all 15 reds with colours, added the yellow and then the green in a break of 101 to become the first player to reach 100 tons in a single campaign, prompting jubilant celebrations from the 32-year-old.

"It was great that it came at one of the most crucial times of the match," Robertson told www.worldsnooker.com.

"I would rather make the century of centuries here than a 147. I've made a couple of 147s and it's nowhere near the same achievement.

"Nobody will ever achieve 200 centuries - that would be impossible. For me to be the first player to achieve 100 centuries in a single season is a great honour.

"It may raise the bar for break-building - the players might try a bit harder when they're on 70 or 80. Stephen Hendry was the one who always tried to clear up no matter what, and that was the approach that I've taken all season."

Having trailed 6-2 after the first session, a below-par Robertson reduced the deficit to 9-6 heading into Wednesday evening, and although he twice managed to close the gap to a single frame it appeared he would bow out when Trump took an 11-8 advantage.

Robertson dug deep to take the next two frames and after his history-making century break levelled things up, the 2010 world champion held his nerve to seal a dramatic victory as Trump wilted under the pressure.

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Robertson admitted attempting to reach 100 century breaks proved a distraction but is now fully focused ahead of his last four showdown with Mark Selby.

"In the first session I was getting very frustrated," said Robertson. "My focus was on the centuries and not the match. I lost my concentration and he played really well. I deserved to be behind in the match - I played way too slow. I was grinding out the first two sessions - like I was walking through mud.

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"Tonight was a perfect performance and that's how I should have approached the start of the match.

"Best of 33 with Mark Selby is going to be really tough. I can't allow myself to get bogged down so I have to approach the match the same way I did. When I'm playing really well, I'm very difficult to beat."

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